Hard times have hit the Montebello Rockfest, with the organization officially declaring bankruptcy this year, after being unable to pay back creditors for over $5 million in debt from this year’s festival. Despite fling for bankruptcy, the festival’s founder Alex Martel has stated that he will seek to continue the festival, and will unveil his plans in the upcoming year.

“Despite everyone’s efforts since late June to save the organization — including the KPMG firm, the former majority partners and myself — no agreement was concluded yet and the deadline for the last court extension has arrived,” Martel wrote in a statement posted to Facebook.

During the summer it was reported that the organization filed for bankruptcy due to the large debt incurred by this year’s festival. This year’s festival included appearances by Prophets of Rage, Weezer, Tenacious D, Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch, A Day to Remember, Lamb of God, Jimmy Eat World, Sum 41, Stone Temple Pilots and Rancid.

“It’s a long-term decision, it’s not a short-term decision; they want to find a way to organize everything correctly so that in the years to come, there will be a … Rockfest,” festival spokesperson Gilles Corriveau stated in July. “The bankruptcy protection gives them the opportunity for a few months to think about something else than paying people. The intention is to pay everybody.”

The Montebello Rockfest was launched by Martel back in 2005, at the young age of 17 in his hometown town of Montebello in Quebec, Canada. The first year, three bands performed: GrimSkunk a Montreal based punk band, and two local groups UKKO and Deadly Apples, who Martel was formerly a member of.

Montebello has a population of around 1,000 people, which typically forced residents in and around the town to travel to larger city’s to attend shows. Martel founded the fest in his hometown as a way for residents to see their favorite bands without having to travel far.

“I just get to do what I love every day, you know? I love what I do and I’m so just a music fan and when I was younger, I used to go to Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and the States to see concerts and festivals all the time. And you know, it’s just really cool to pretty much have it the other way around and having tens of thousands of punks and metalheads come into my small town and seeing all these bands play in my backyard,” Martel explained in 2014. “And lots of these bands that I listened to growing up, you know, I used skateboard where we have the festival grounds and you know, listening on my Walkman to Blink-182 and some of these other bands, so just having them play there is definitely a sentimental value to me.”

Despite this large setback Martel remains adamant that he will be able to continue the fest once again, and even suggested partnering up with a different company. Given the origin of the fest, which performed for about 500 people at the beginning he is positive that there will be a future for it in his hometown.

“For 13 years, I built my reputation. I built credibility in the industry and 10 of those years, I was by myself,” Martel explained in the Facebook post. “I didn’t have any partners. And I think those people know me and trust me and they know what I’m about.”

Full statements below:

Statement from Rockfest founder Alex Martel :

Today, the Outaouais Rock organization, which has operated Rockfest since 2008, has filed for bankruptcy. The end of this entity does not mean the death of the festival that I have founded at 17 and that I have dedicated my life to.

Despite everyone’s efforts since late June to save the organization – including the KPMG firm, the former majority partners and myself – no agreement was concluded yet and the deadline for the last court extension has arrived.

While I would have strongly preferred an alternative solution to using the Bankruptcy law, I must respect the decision that was taken. I wish the former majority partners – with whom I am no longer affiliated – the best of luck in their future endeavours and I thank them for their contributions to the festival in the past three years. As the festival founder, I will accept my part of the blame and take the responsibility that is mine. I’d also like to personally send my sincerest apologies to those affected by this sad situation.

As of today therefore, I am free and back on my own as the ship captain as I was for the first 10 years. I’m taking back control of my own destiny. There is a lot of work ahead of me in order to put back together what I have built and to make things right, but I will roll up my sleeves and move forward with my head up.

I’d like to thank the long-time staff of the festival who continues to this day to follow me on this journey with loyalty; the bands that have shown support and understanding throughout this tough moment despite some being affected – this means the world to me and I will never forget it; and of course my family of festival-goers who are still with me and who have changed my life forever.

It’s for YOU that I won’t ever give up – I will never take your support and love for granted. I’ve always done it out of passion and I will continue to do it for the right reasons without letting anyone undermine this festival that has always been my baby. My goal is to continue to bring to you fun times in Montebello every summer as has been the case for the past 13 years.

I will grab some much-needed rest during the holidays and will be back at some point in January with some news regarding the future as soon as I can! In the meantime, you’re always welcome to send me your ideas, comments or proposals : a.martel@amnesiarockfest.com

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